Rhetoric I - Self-Paced Course
Details
Help your student speak truth with wisdom, clarity, and love
In today’s world, students are constantly communicating—but few are taught how to communicate wisely.
Social media, online debate, anxiety, outrage, and shallow communication have created a generation that often struggles to speak clearly, think carefully, and engage others graciously.
The Rhetoric I Self-Paced Course helps students develop the timeless art of persuasive, Christ-centered communication rooted in truth, wisdom, and love.
Through guided instruction, practical exercises, and interactive learning, students learn how to think logically, communicate confidently, and influence others faithfully through words and actions.
✔ No teaching required
✔ No grading required
✔ Fully self-paced
✔ 1 full year of access
More Than Public Speaking—A Foundation for Life
Rhetoric is not merely debate or persuasion.
It is the art of communicating truth wisely and lovingly.
At Veritas, rhetoric is taught as:
- clear thinking
- persuasive communication
- biblical wisdom applied through words
- leadership through truth and character
This course helps students learn how to:
- organize ideas clearly
- communicate with confidence
- think critically and logically
- speak persuasively without manipulation
- engage disagreements thoughtfully and graciously
As Veritas explains, rhetoric is “the art of applying wisdom to persuade others with words and actions.”
Prepare Your Student for College, Leadership, and Life
Strong communication skills affect nearly every area of life:
- college essays and interviews
- leadership opportunities
- ministry and discipleship
- debate and discussion
- writing and speaking
- relationships and influence
But beyond skill, students also need character and discernment.
This course teaches students how to communicate:
- confidently without arrogance
- persuasively without manipulation
- truthfully without fear
- lovingly without compromise
In a culture filled with noise and outrage, students need more than speaking skills—they need resilient, Christ-centered communication.
A Classical Christian Approach to Rhetoric
Classical Christian education has long recognized rhetoric as one of the highest forms of learning within the Trivium:
- Grammar → learning knowledge
- Logic → learning reasoning
- Rhetoric → learning wise and persuasive communication
Rhetoric teaches students not merely what to say, but:
- when to say it
- how to say it
- why words matter
- how truth should shape communication
This course helps students apply biblical wisdom to communication in everyday life.
What Your Student Will Experience
This course combines timeless rhetorical training with engaging modern technology.
🎬 Dynamic Video Lessons
Students learn from Dr. Michael Collender, TEDx speaker, classical educator, and co-creator of A Rhetoric of Love.
🧠 Practical Communication Training
Students immediately apply what they learn through exercises, speaking practice, and structured assignments
🎮 Interactive Learning & Review
Activities reinforce concepts while helping students retain and apply rhetorical skills
💬 Real-World Communication Skills
Students practice persuasion, organization, delivery, storytelling, and thoughtful discussion
🌍 Expert Interviews & Insights
Bonus interviews feature leaders and communicators discussing:
- voice and presentation
- storytelling
- creativity and curiosity
- persuasion and influence
- leadership and communication
Featured contributors include Roger Love, Nolan Bushnell, Bruce Bryan, Brian Godawa, and others.
Why Parents Love It
✔ No prep required — everything is organized and ready to go
✔ No grading stress — progress tracking is built into the platform
✔ Practical life skills — students develop communication abilities they will use forever
✔ Independent learning — students work at their own pace
✔ Biblical worldview — rhetoric taught through truth, wisdom, and love
Parents consistently seek communication training that is both intellectually rigorous and spiritually grounded. This course delivers both.
Why Students Love It
✔ Lessons feel practical and relevant—not abstract
✔ Students gain confidence through structured practice
✔ Interactive exercises make learning engaging
✔ Communication skills improve quickly through real application
Many students discover that rhetoric is not just about speeches—it’s about learning how to think and communicate well in every area of life.
How It Works
- Format: Online, self-paced course
- Access: 12 months from activation
- Recommended Grades: 10th Grade
- Structure: Video lessons + exercises + interactive review + assessments
- Device Friendly: Desktop, tablet, or laptop
Students can log in anytime and continue where they left off.
Why This Course Matters
Today’s students are growing up in a world shaped by:
Algorithm-Driven Outrage and Shallow Online Communication 
Anxiety around Public Speaking
Confusion about Truth and Persuasion The Self-Paced Rhetoric I Course was created specifically to respond to this moment.
Students need more than communication techniques. They need wisdom.
This course helps students:
- Think Clearly
- Communicate Faithfully
- Engage Disagreements Graciously
- Speak Truth Courageously
- Influence Others with Integrity and Love
As Veritas explains, the course is designed not merely “to inform, but to transform.”
A Rhetoric of Love - Student Text
Your student will also need this resource to complete the course:
At Veritas, we're always seeking ways to create programs that look at what's out there and create a better mousetrap. We are convinced this is it for rhetoric. Much of the classical tradition intended to speak and write what is true, good, and beautiful. A Rhetoric of Love, by Doug Jones, sees much helpful in the ideas of these ancient teachers. Greeks and Romans taught much about sound reasoning, orderly thinking, and clear communication. They didn't teach much about how to love one's opponent. Jesus called us to love our neighbor as our self. A Rhetoric of Love asks how we can do that in our speaking and writing and living. How ought Christ's followers to try to persuade others? How should their rhetorical efforts look different from those of the world around them? How can they seek to persuade with empathy, understanding, compassion? How can they listen to others—really listen—and then speak truth in love?
$49.00
Frequently Asked Questions
Give Your Student the Confidence to Speak Truth Wisely
The Rhetoric I Self-Paced Course is an online classical Christian rhetoric curriculum for middle school and high school students. Taught by Dr. Michael Collender, this self-paced communication course helps students strengthen public speaking, persuasive writing, logical reasoning, and leadership skills through a biblical worldview. Featuring interactive lessons, practical exercises, and rhetorical training rooted in truth and wisdom, the course prepares students for college, leadership, ministry, debate, and lifelong communication success.
With this purchase, you are receiving 1 year of access to the course from the date you start using it.
Details for enrolling your student in this course will be included with your purchase confirmation. The course cannot be accessed until you assign it to a student. You can begin using this course at any time. We recommend Chrome or Safari browsers.
Help your student become a thoughtful communicator who can think clearly, speak persuasively, and engage the world with wisdom, conviction, and love.